D3 Available Accessories

[timdo1]

Hi everyone

I am close to buying a D3 and am still debating re the motor type. Am i wrong or does it seem as though you cant get a snorkle or winch bar for the V6 petrol? and why would the ARB bar only be for the diesel. Also where does the Brown Davis aux tank go? It has a rated capacity of 105 litres so its a fair size, where do they fit it.

My preference has been for a V8 or diesel but i have no car at the moment (D2 died) and really need to push the process now. The V6 is the most available model for the price at the moment.

Thanks in advance

[TerryO]

Hi everyone

I am close to buying a D3 and am still debating re the motor type. Am i wrong or does it seem as though you cant get a snorkle or winch bar for the V6 petrol? and why would the ARB bar only be for the diesel. Also where does the Brown Davis aux tank go? It has a rated capacity of 105 litres so its a fair size, where do they fit it.

My preference has been for a V8 or diesel but i have no car at the moment (D2 died) and really need to push the process now. The V6 is the most available model for the price at the moment.

Thanks in advance

Seriously drive all three engine types and you will not buy the petrol V6, that is why they are so available.

The other two engines types are worth the extra dollars beyond a doubt.

cheers,
Terry

[Neil P]

...will not buy the petrol V6, that is why they are so available.

I think you'll find that's because they were 75% of D3 sales

[Ashes]

Accessories are available for the petrol. I'll be putting on a winch bar shortly on my v6 petrol. A minor mod at the front end is required but the big installers seem to know all about this.

I haven't researched the snorkel so can't advise on that.

Aux tank fits where the spare wheel goes so you need to relocate that (rear bar, roof rack, inside the cabin).

Plenty of threads on each of these mods can be found with some searching.

Plenty of threads also regarding diesel vs petrol and good arguments for both. Lots of dimensions to the decision but depends what aspects you decide is most important to you...not others....

[oldsalt]

A lot of the answers you want are in the FAQ section, good luck with your new purchase....you'll love it.
cheers

[unseenone]

I can't debate motor types, ie: petrol .vs. Diesel as we cannot buy them here. If we could That's what I would drive. That being said, your mates can probably better get into that.

As far as I am concerned the V6 Petrol would never be an option. The V8 is slightly underpowered in certain circumstances. Folks here may disagree.

The sky seems to be the rule, rather than the limit when kitting a Land Rover.

On the rest of it, it depends on your intended use, and everyone has an opinion, so consider yourself in luck, I expect a lively debate. To kick it off, for my intended use, which is daily driver with occasional off road use, moderate to extreme, this would be the ideal Kit to me;

Accessories;

1. Traxide Dual Battery Kit (model of D3 / irrelevant)
advantages, run winch, fridge, backup starting, etc)
2. ARB Safari Snorkel
Advantages, waterproof, or water resistant at least more so than LR's
3. ECB Bull Bar
Advantages, lighter weight than ARB, a MUST from what I read in Australia, particularly if you travel at night at all. ECB would also
claim a better design, it's all debatable. Overall Vehicle weight is an issue that seems to pop up here regularly, due to regulation, and
overall wear and tear while in the outback, etc. The ARB is commonly fitted on the V8 Petrol here, perhaps the V6 doesn't have enough wind to carry it?
4. ARB or other rear bumper + spare
advantages, ability to carry one or more spare, + free up space for;
5. Extended Range Fuel Tank -
Not available in US, doesn't work right on V8 Petrol, so I am told. Fits under the rear, where the spare goes. Increases range, but also increases weight and wear and tear. Don't forget you are considering a V6.
6. Winch
Advantages, if you get stuck because of over confidence due to that water resistant snorkel, you can self recover. That assumes you brought your scuba gear in that extra boot space, and haven't killed your battery(s).
7. Roof Rack
Advantages, frees up the boot for the dog, Fridge, Kids, etc. I prefer the new sleeker design now, such as the new slimline front runner type.
8. Roof Top Tent
Advantages, I never liked snakes, crocks, etc. and Australian Gun Laws seem highly restrictive, I am to old to sleep with one eye open.
9. Sliders / Body / Underbody
I think the added under body guards LR sells are adequate for most users, the exception might be roverracks sliders, they are very sleek and offer moderate protection if you hit rocks, high side, etc. There are tons of options and suppliers with underbody and protection.

I realize this is a bit more of a broad response than you asked for, hopefully it will be a good starting point, and let you see some options. I left off an endless list of other possibilities.

[timdo1]

I think you'll find that's because they were 75% of D3 sales

Yes thats right. My wife has one and its a great car. I'm a builder and so i will knock it around a bit more. You know heavy loads being towed, off road use etc. I've usually gone the 8 and ignored the diesel. Today though the diesel has so much more grunt and reliability, its just the price staying so high that worries me. With the extra money i could buy a lot of fuel and a long range tank to solve the extra stops of long trips in the high country.

The other factor to be considered is the available accessories.

[timdo1]

I can't debate motor types, ie: petrol .vs. Diesel as we cannot buy them here. If we could That's what I would drive. That being said, your mates can probably better get into that.

As far as I am concerned the V6 Petrol would never be an option. The V8 is slightly underpowered in certain circumstances. Folks here may disagree.

The sky seems to be the rule, rather than the limit when kitting a Land Rover.

On the rest of it, it depends on your intended use, and everyone has an opinion, so consider yourself in luck, I expect a lively debate. To kick it off, for my intended use, which is daily driver with occasional off road use, moderate to extreme, this would be the ideal Kit to me;

Accessories;

1. Traxide Dual Battery Kit (model of D3 / irrelevant)
advantages, run winch, fridge, backup starting, etc)
2. ARB Safari Snorkel
Advantages, waterproof, or water resistant at least more so than LR's
3. ECB Bull Bar
Advantages, lighter weight than ARB, a MUST from what I read in Australia, particularly if you travel at night at all. ECB would also
claim a better design, it's all debatable. Overall Vehicle weight is an issue that seems to pop up here regularly, due to regulation, and
overall wear and tear while in the outback, etc. The ARB is commonly fitted on the V8 Petrol here, perhaps the V6 doesn't have enough wind to carry it?
4. ARB or other rear bumper + spare
advantages, ability to carry one or more spare, + free up space for;
5. Extended Range Fuel Tank -
Not available in US, doesn't work right on V8 Petrol, so I am told. Fits under the rear, where the spare goes. Increases range, but also increases weight and wear and tear. Don't forget you are considering a V6.
6. Winch
Advantages, if you get stuck because of over confidence due to that water resistant snorkel, you can self recover. That assumes you brought your scuba gear in that extra boot space, and haven't killed your battery(s).
7. Roof Rack
Advantages, frees up the boot for the dog, Fridge, Kids, etc. I prefer the new sleeker design now, such as the new slimline front runner type.
8. Roof Top Tent
Advantages, I never liked snakes, crocks, etc. and Australian Gun Laws seem highly restrictive, I am to old to sleep with one eye open.
9. Sliders / Body / Underbody
I think the added under body guards LR sells are adequate for most users, the exception might be roverracks sliders, they are very sleek and offer moderate protection if you hit rocks, high side, etc. There are tons of options and suppliers with underbody and protection.

I realize this is a bit more of a broad response than you asked for, hopefully it will be a good starting point, and let you see some options. I left off an endless list of other possibilities.

Thanks for that,

Battery is a must, put a second one in the D2 and use it all the time.

Snorkel not straight away but yes in the future, the ARB one says that it only fits on the diesel so that might be an issue

ECB Bull bar is new for me, i was under the impression from reading other posts that the ECB could not do a winch, which would be a concern. I have one in the garage ready to be installed

Long Range tanks are a must on Petrol vehicles. I get caught all the time on capacity and even though in the bush fuel figures between diesel and petrol seem to even out. I hate not being able to get to the next refill because i lacked capacity. I was hoping to not to have to put the spare wheel on the back. Its a pain in the bum for someone who goes in and out of the back a dozen times a day

Roof Rack is a must for me. I go tradesman racks usually so the ends are left open (not the sides). I have a large roof rack bag which goes on and with 4 kids is essential when travelling. The open ended rack i'm sure i can find easily and is necessary for sliding timber and whatever up on top. Worked well with the D2

Probably wont beef up the underbody guards. I'm bug enough and ugle enough to drive around major issues. I would look at some home made rock sliders maybe, but that would come later.

Thanks for the response. My question has arisen because of the big problem of not being able to get a compliant winch bar or snorkle. Most of the other things i can find easily.

[Ashes]

For the winch bar, Opposite Lock do one that they can fit to the petrol v6's. The OL winch bar is very similarly styled to the ARB.

[unseenone]

An ECB Pictured here with winch, post #1;

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/...u-judge-6.html